Add or remove icons from the desktop

Applies to Windows Vista

You can add or remove desktop‌ icons for programs, files, pictures, locations, and more.

Most of the icons you add to your desktop will be shortcuts, but you can also save files or folders to the desktop. If you delete files or folders that are stored on your desktop, they are moved to the Recycle Bin, where you can permanently delete them. If you delete a shortcut, the shortcut is removed from your desktop, but the file, program, or location that the shortcut links to is not deleted.